CBS/Paramount sues to stop Axanar
- Thread starter Richard Baker
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The irony being of course that Peters and Burnett would shit on the JJ Abrams films on the regular, every chance they got.
Apologies for butting in like this, but I've been lurking on this situation all day and really need to get this off of my chest.
I've read about the Axanar situation all day, and I'm extremely disappointed at how unprofessional these buffoons (especially Peters and Burnett) are acting in the face of serious legal action. Do they think this all some big joke? Apparently they do. Several hours ago, Alec posted a picture of the Axanar staff eating sushi, smiling, and having a good time.
Their fan base within their Facebook Fan Group is particularly appalling. It's like some sort of case study on Stockholm Syndrome. Too many apologists to count and not an ounce of feedback to be seen. In fact, my post asking a single question (Why haven't you removed Tony Todd from your website?) was removed without warning, in less than a minute.
Before I go completely on a tangent, I really want to know what happened within Axanar Productions that caused the departure of Garrett Wang, Christian Gossett, and Tony Todd. Actually, the better question is, what the hell are they doing right now, anyway? Their sets aren't even finished. They're supposed to enter "production in February."
Now I'm questioning everything Axanar has said since the beginning.
I've read about the Axanar situation all day, and I'm extremely disappointed at how unprofessional these buffoons (especially Peters and Burnett) are acting in the face of serious legal action. Do they think this all some big joke? Apparently they do. Several hours ago, Alec posted a picture of the Axanar staff eating sushi, smiling, and having a good time.
Their fan base within their Facebook Fan Group is particularly appalling. It's like some sort of case study on Stockholm Syndrome. Too many apologists to count and not an ounce of feedback to be seen. In fact, my post asking a single question (Why haven't you removed Tony Todd from your website?) was removed without warning, in less than a minute.
Before I go completely on a tangent, I really want to know what happened within Axanar Productions that caused the departure of Garrett Wang, Christian Gossett, and Tony Todd. Actually, the better question is, what the hell are they doing right now, anyway? Their sets aren't even finished. They're supposed to enter "production in February."
Now I'm questioning everything Axanar has said since the beginning.
Okay, pardon my complete ignorance of law here - but the existence of 20 "John Doe" defendants to be named later, with the possibility that they could be designers, writers, actors...mightn't this encourage more staff to jump ship in the coming days in the hope of putting some daylight between themselves and the whole fouled up situation?
It's got to be clear pretty quickly to a number of the folks involved that Axanar's producers have no real workable legal strategy to defend themselves. The most they can do is cross their fingers and wish upon a star that for some reason CBS will decide to "negotiate" rather than press forward.
A negotiation really requires that both parties have something that the other values.
It's got to be clear pretty quickly to a number of the folks involved that Axanar's producers have no real workable legal strategy to defend themselves. The most they can do is cross their fingers and wish upon a star that for some reason CBS will decide to "negotiate" rather than press forward.
A negotiation really requires that both parties have something that the other values.
Pretty much any Trek fan-film that wants a "contemporary" look has aped the nuTrek super-glossy hulls and lens-flare shaky-cam look. Horizon is probably the worst offender with its more-is-more approach to FX.
Legally? Dunno? As far as the rest? You best believe I'd be disassociating myself as fast as humanly possible if I were somebody wrapped up in this project. I think we've had a member here say nearly as much already.
That's what I am thinking... basically go all Trump on Axanar, by sucking the O2 out of the room, leaving everyone running for cover, and mop up after the fact...
I think letting Alec know via trades vs. a phone call was part of that strategy...
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Amaris
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Quiet you, I can't cross any more fingers or toes.
Well, the reaction is only helping CBS. So, sadly, smart move by CBS.
I think if CBS/Paramount were going to go after all the Fan films, aside from JUST this Lawsuit, all of the other ones would have gotten Cease and Desist letters by now, and we would hear from one or two of them already.
I really do think this has something to do with a line Axanar crossed... BUT... the thing is, the "Defense" Alec seems to be taking is "We are just doing what all the other fan films are doing" may be cause for CBS to shut down the other Fan Films... at least the ones raising funds via crowdsourcing websites.
I sincerely doubt Peters' claim that he found out from the trades and not from actual subpeona papers he'd likely have been served.
His whole narrative style when it comes to defending Axanar is centered on making himself the victim of the "cruelty" and "attacks" of others and painting CBS that way would certainly fit his usual modus operandi.
His whole narrative style when it comes to defending Axanar is centered on making himself the victim of the "cruelty" and "attacks" of others and painting CBS that way would certainly fit his usual modus operandi.
I think CBS knows that if they go after them all, the fans will be furious and it will be worse for them and the new series. But Axanar... something big happened with them.
I'm disappointed that there was potential there in the Axanar project to have an entertaining program that would fill in some of the gaps of Trek history.
And, as I did for other Trek projects, I ponied up a little money to help.
However, reading the drama with Peters and the trek boards here and elsewhere online gave me pause. But one could rationalize it away with the thinking that some creative and managerial types can be rude and have big egos (and sometimes just be plain jerks) and still do good work.
Bringing Robert Meyer Burnett on board was another good sign. He's a knowledgeable, passionate fan whose work on the TNG Blu-rays really made the set shine for me.
I was at a comic-con at Niagara Falls, NY two years ago and Tony Todd appeared there. He mentioned briefly his involvement in a crowd-sourced project but seemed hesitant to get into the details. He definitely wasn't shilling for it.
When I donated, I fully expected that this film would've been completed and in my hands this year.
Were the goalposts moved on the project? Did the delay and the continued asking for money get CBS's attention? Were the spoils of having a set and studio facilities that could potentially be used for other profit making ventures cross the line? I guess we'll find out the official CBS line soon enough.
I'll be very disappointed if this project brings down other projects as well. I enjoyed New Voyages, Continues and Renegades to various degrees. I'd like to see them continue.
Is CBS being a jerk? It's their property. We fans don't own it, period. Even if Axanar never existed, would CBS have brought the hammer down with a new film and TV series coming out? Possibly; but now Axanar can have the blame placed on them as being the straw that broke the camel's back if other fan productions are shuttered.
However, to raise money for a project using Star Trek ip and yet at the same time bash Paramount for the tone of their successful new Trek films seemed pushing one's luck. I don't need anyone telling me if the entertainment I like is "not for true fans".
To see Peters insult Tony Todd was a real disappointment; was he going to wait around forever to film a small part in something that would not be a big money maker for him? And what does that say about the other actors who were to be in this? Are they going to stay on a sinking ship, and risk their potential for future work in the industry?
While, I have to admit to taking some interest in the airing of dirty laundry here and elsewhere about the feuds and backstabbing that seems to have plagued some of the Trek fan productions on this board and elsewhere, the glee I see here about Peters' legal troubles leaves me with a sour taste. Somewhat: I still read it all, because it's the slowest trainwreck I've seen in a long time!
And the news about 20 or so "John Does" also mentioned in the suit saddens me, as this could affect some good people who weren't in it for money or recognition, but just for a passion for Trek.
I see no chance of Axanar ever filming anything going forward. CBS and Paramount may face some bad press, but their bottom line will be secured.
I hope the script does make it online soon; I'd like to know if it was any good.
And, as I did for other Trek projects, I ponied up a little money to help.
However, reading the drama with Peters and the trek boards here and elsewhere online gave me pause. But one could rationalize it away with the thinking that some creative and managerial types can be rude and have big egos (and sometimes just be plain jerks) and still do good work.
Bringing Robert Meyer Burnett on board was another good sign. He's a knowledgeable, passionate fan whose work on the TNG Blu-rays really made the set shine for me.
I was at a comic-con at Niagara Falls, NY two years ago and Tony Todd appeared there. He mentioned briefly his involvement in a crowd-sourced project but seemed hesitant to get into the details. He definitely wasn't shilling for it.
When I donated, I fully expected that this film would've been completed and in my hands this year.
Were the goalposts moved on the project? Did the delay and the continued asking for money get CBS's attention? Were the spoils of having a set and studio facilities that could potentially be used for other profit making ventures cross the line? I guess we'll find out the official CBS line soon enough.
I'll be very disappointed if this project brings down other projects as well. I enjoyed New Voyages, Continues and Renegades to various degrees. I'd like to see them continue.
Is CBS being a jerk? It's their property. We fans don't own it, period. Even if Axanar never existed, would CBS have brought the hammer down with a new film and TV series coming out? Possibly; but now Axanar can have the blame placed on them as being the straw that broke the camel's back if other fan productions are shuttered.
However, to raise money for a project using Star Trek ip and yet at the same time bash Paramount for the tone of their successful new Trek films seemed pushing one's luck. I don't need anyone telling me if the entertainment I like is "not for true fans".
To see Peters insult Tony Todd was a real disappointment; was he going to wait around forever to film a small part in something that would not be a big money maker for him? And what does that say about the other actors who were to be in this? Are they going to stay on a sinking ship, and risk their potential for future work in the industry?
While, I have to admit to taking some interest in the airing of dirty laundry here and elsewhere about the feuds and backstabbing that seems to have plagued some of the Trek fan productions on this board and elsewhere, the glee I see here about Peters' legal troubles leaves me with a sour taste. Somewhat: I still read it all, because it's the slowest trainwreck I've seen in a long time!
And the news about 20 or so "John Does" also mentioned in the suit saddens me, as this could affect some good people who weren't in it for money or recognition, but just for a passion for Trek.
I see no chance of Axanar ever filming anything going forward. CBS and Paramount may face some bad press, but their bottom line will be secured.
I hope the script does make it online soon; I'd like to know if it was any good.
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Amaris
Guest
The bean counters would have weighed all of that when deciding on issuing anything against them, so what could have Axanar done to elicit this kind of response? This isn't a simple "Hey, stop!" it's "you've caused us real damage, and we want compensation." There's a huge difference, and I want to know what spurred it on.
I'd think you're safe, because sadly you were never given real credit for your work. Alec has taken full credit for The Ares and even copyrighted it himself. Most of us know your contribution but Alec has taken the official credit.
Yes and if people posted models of the Ares on Shapeways they were sent C/D requests by Alec.
The insane reaction of Peters & Burnett is what shifted the tone of all of this. At least for me. They're talking smack about the best thing going for Prelude (Tony Todd). They're trying to lump themselves in with other fan films. "See, they're doing it too." They're pointing to their other Trek work and basically laughing in the face of CBS, while saying they "take it seriously" out of the other side of their mouths. They're increasingly burning bridges, relationships and their chances in court with each passing tweet. I enjoyed Prelude very much. I was looking forward to their next work, whenever it was to come. I take no glee in the fact that it's not going to happen, nor in the fact that people are going to lose money over it. I just find their reaction so over-the-top absurd...it's both laughable and sad simultaneously.
I donated to the Kickstarter back in 2014.. $15.00... I wanted the digital copy of the script... (Really that's the biggest reason I donated) Anyway, when Star Trek Continues The White Iris was pulled, Alec Peters, basically went off on a Facebook tangent saying that they were risking all the fan films, because they used a screen grab for a green screen backdrop in one of their scenes.
It turns out, that yes, that scene was the problem, but it was a problem for You Tube's automated System, and CBS didn't care. The episode was reposted...
Well when that went on, Someone mentioned bad blood between Peters and Mignonia and a google search is actually what led me to Trek BBS. You can still see the lovely bashing, Peters did of Magnonia back in the day.
Anyway, that left a sour taste in my mouth. Well fast forward to May of this year, when after raising a whopping 650K (out of an 800K ask) last year, the Axanar Team came out and asked for another 1.3 Million dollars.
That left me perturbed, and any and all questions as to why the budget had not just increased but more than doubled were returned with snarky, passive aggressive responses. Donors didn't read this... or that.. So I didn't contribute, and did more research
Then as I went through all of it, I saw a pattern, of over promising and under delivering. (The Prelude Perks were just finally sent out a couple months ago) This film was supposed to be released in 2015, and here we are going into 2016, and filming isn't set to begin until February, and if Mr. Peters is to be believed, the feature isn't yet cast.
Am I full of glee? I am satisfied that that my suspicions were correct. I really do feel bad this story isn't going to be told, because it seemed like a great story ,and I feel bad for people the Axanar Donars who seem to have chased good money with bad, and now have a bit of Stockholm syndrome... But it still feels good to have my suspicions validated.
The "fans will be furious" argument is the gap that allows for fan-films in the first place. It's never purely about letter-of-the-law. It's a cost-benefit assessment.
But let's face it. It's a highly dysfunctional foundation for fan-films to exist. It's this backdrop that set the stage for situations like this to crop up in the first place. I really don't buy the idea that there's no way to bridge the gap between copyright holders and fandom. Remember this recent story?
http://www.startrek.com/article/strange-new-worlds-fan-fiction-contest-returns-for-2016
There could be ways for copyright owners to create more of a sanctioned garden for fan-films rather than a free-for-all with unknown trigger-points for legal action.
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